Hellenic Chapter

INTENTION

A seven-week journey into the rituals and mythology of the Ancient Greek religion and the Hellenic tradition. The coordinator is Carey, and the secondaries are Kitty, Nicole, and Jacki.

Chapter Schedule
Date	Type	Title
Aug 10	Ritual	Kindling the Eternal Hearth-Flame of Community
Aug 17	Class	Piety, Philosophy, and Mystery -- Introduction to Hellenism
Aug 24	Ritual	Festival of Dionysus
Aug 31	Class	Sacred Theater
Sept 7	SOS	The Meaning of Sacrifice
Sept 14	Ritual	Apollo Epikourios and the Delphic Maxims
Sept 21	Ritual	Autumnal Equinox -- The Eleusinian Mysteries

DETAILS

The picture is "Spring" (1894) by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, a beautiful interpretation of one of the great city-wide ritual processionals (pompe) of Ancient Greek religion.

"Kindling the Eternal Hearth-Flame of the Community" -- New Member Sunday -- One of the things that was very important to Hellenic religion was the eternal hearth-flame of Hestia -- a flame that was tended night and day, was never allowed to go out, and served as the spiritual center of the community. The first and the last offerings in any Hellenic ritual were always to Hestia, and the sacred altar flames for every ritual were kindled from a flame from the community's eternal hearth-flame. This flame will be tended throughout the entire chapter. At the end of the chapter, we can use this flame to light the sacred fire for the altar of the first Druid ritual, and thereby "pass the torch" to the next chapter.
"Introduction to Hellenic Ritual" -- First class; a brain-busting introduction to liturgical outline, purpose of the rites, cosmology, place in the Indo-European lineage, notes about language, and about a billion other things. Fortunately, there will be a booklet to take home and read.
"Festival of Dionysus" -- Hellenic ritual wasn't all tragedy and mystery; there were also rituals of revelry and games! Dionysus is not just the god of wine, he is the force that brings communities together in celebration, bridging all gaps: young and old, male and female, family and stranger -- all come together in celebration when Dionysus is here!
"Sacred Theater" -- The origins of modern theater can be found in the Hellenic ritual tradition. How do you make theater sacred? Why do you make rituals theatrically appealing? Why is sacred theater important?

"The Meaning of Sacrifice" -- "Sacrifice" is a term with a lot of modern baggage -- but what did it mean in Hellenic rituals? How and why was it done? What are our reactions to the idea? How can we reclaim this "rite of making the ordinary sacred through dedication to the Gods"?
"Apollo Epikourios and the Delphic Maxims" -- From Sannion: "Apollo's blessings are beauty, healing, justice, strength, artistic and athletic skill, as well as prophecy. He helps people to find ways to become better than they are. He heals all ailments - spiritual as well as physical. He punishes unjust acts, yet helps those who have committed them to find redemption and purification. He inspires the best work by poets and sculptors, atheletes and scientists.. He communicates to man the will of his father, Zeus, making known what was hidden. Above all he preaches the Hellenic ideal of moderation and nothing to excess. " The Delphic Maxims - "Nothing in Excess" "Know Thyself" and "Give surety, gain ruin" which could be taken now to mean "Give everything, and it will be taken from you."
"The Elusinian Mysteries" -- The cycles of the seasons and the cycles of our lives, the journeys of the gods and the journeys of our souls. Almost nothing is known about the secret rites at Demeter's temple at Eleusis, even though at one point nearly everyone in the Greek world had been initiated. What could be so powerful, so compelling, so transformative? Join us as we explore the possibilities, based on the surviving evidence...

LINKS

Thiasos Olympikos

This is a fabulous website by a Hellenic ritual group -- contains a great deal of good information and ritual outlines.

Sannion's Sanctuary

Sannion is an active member of the Hellenic movement, and his essays are a valuable resource for Hellenic practitioners. From in-depth research into the mysteries of Dionysus to what to do with the sacrifices after the ritual's over, Sannion covers a great deal of material in a practical yet passionate style.

The Perseus Project at Tufts University

Primary and secondary source documents, classic literature, translation, history, articles... everything you need for serious scholarship is at your fingertips.

eCauldron Greek/Hellenic Reconstructionist Paganism

A compilation of links, resources, and essays. Currently, this site is hosting some of Drew Campbell's work, including the excellent "Hellenismos FAQ".

Ár nDraiocht Féin

This is a large organization of Indo-European Reconstructionist Paganism. They have high standards of scholarship and personal development. Founded by Isaac Bonewits to be an order of Recon Druids, they have expanded into not just Celtic, but also Norse, Hellenic, Slavic, and Vedic hearth cultures. They have specialty guilds for bards, seers, artists, etc., and are developing an intense clergy program. "Why not Excellence?"

RESOURCES

Old Stones, New Temples

The book on Hellenism by a modern Reconstructionist, for modern seekers and practitioners. The most recommended source for modern Hellenism.

Mythology

Edith Hamilton's classic guide to Greek mythology.

A Genealogical Chart of Greek Mythology

Two generations and a team of scholars and studetns have compiled a geneological chart of Greek gods, heroes, titans, spirits, and kings.

Greek Religion

Recommended by even the most discerning Hellenic Reconstructionists.

EXTRAS

Introduction to Hellenic Garb

Carey's intro to Hellenic dress. This page has illustrated instructions on how to make Hellenic garb -- it's very easy, requires very little sewing, and looks gorgeous!

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